No Sleep For Kaname Date is excellent on Steam Deck but what about Nintendo Switch and Switch 2?

Before its release next week, I’ve been testing out “No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files” on various handheld devices such as Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, and ROG Ally. I’m examining how the game performs across these platforms, optimizing my settings for Steam Deck play, comparing the Switch 2 version to the original Switch build, evaluating backward compatibility, and more. Please note that this article will contain no spoilers, and all images presented are from the early hours of the game. Keep an eye out for our comprehensive review of “No Sleep For Kaname Date” as well!

No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files Nintendo Switch 2 impressions

As a gamer, I’ve been eagerly awaiting my hands-on experience with No Sleep For Kaname Date on the native Nintendo Switch 2. The moment I booted it up, I could tell that the game felt sharper compared to the original Nintendo Switch version, but the frame rate wasn’t flawless. Diving into the game settings unveiled a Quality and Performance output option, which primarily caters to Docked mode. To my surprise, No Sleep For Kaname Date even flashes a warning, letting you know that Performance mode will automatically engage when playing on lower-resolution displays or in handheld mode.

As a devoted fan, I can attest that “No Sleep for Kaname Date” shines brightly on the Switch 2’s portable screen in Performance Mode. While the frame rate isn’t flawless, it never reaches the inconsistency experienced on the original Switch during actual third-person movement, which seldom achieves a steady 60fps. It seems Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) might not be activated for “No Sleep for Kaname Date” on the Switch 2, as I’ve noticed some stuttering and instability in the frame rate, especially during indoor scenes or when moving about.

When using the Nintendo Switch 2 docked on a 4K TV, the difference between quality and performance modes is noticeable, even within the options menu text. However, neither setting consistently delivers a smooth frame rate, which can be frustrating. In an ideal world, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) would have been enabled for the Nintendo Switch 2 in docked mode, as it could have improved performance. Even if there was a 40fps cap in the Quality mode, it would have been beneficial because both modes exhibit too much frame rate variability for my preference. You’ll see an improvement in performance when looking up or down, but during actual gameplay, it doesn’t feel seamless due to the hitching. I also observed that cursor movement in first-person view was a bit jerky in certain scenarios.

As an ardent gamer, I had high expectations for the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of this game, believing it would surpass the performance on PC handhelds. While it’s not a terrible experience by any means, the fact that it could run smoother on the next-generation Switch leaves me wishing for more optimization.

No Sleep For Kaname Date Nintendo Switch 2 mouse controls impressions

I’ve been wondering about the mouse control options for “No Sleep For Kaname Date” on the Nintendo Switch 2, as the way games on this platform have implemented their mouse controls has been inconsistent so far. For instance, “Nobunaga’s Ambition Awakening Complete Edition” offers excellent mouse controls, whereas games like “Deltarune” only provide mouse control in certain areas. To be honest, I find Kaname Date’s mouse controls a bit perplexing.

To activate this feature, you must manually select an option in the game settings, however, it doesn’t allow for instant switching between control configurations. I anticipated using a mix of keyboard and mouse inputs, yet found myself having to shut down and restart the game when playing docked, as moving the Joy-Con 2s back into the console and picking up my controller caused the game to disable mouse controls, even though it continued to ignore these settings until I exited and reopened the game. This issue wasn’t constant, but it was inconvenient during testing sessions. Ideally, using the right Joy-Con 2 as a makeshift mouse would automatically adjust the game’s input mode, but unfortunately, this isn’t an available option at the moment.

Kaname Date’s No Sleep game offers touchscreen functionality, but the smaller-than-ideal size of certain menu buttons might pose challenges for some users. However, it’s great that it provides an additional touch control option in conjunction with traditional button controls.

No Sleep For Kaname Date Nintendo Switch impressions

In simple terms, “No Sleep For Kaname Date” on Nintendo Switch appears designed for 720p resolution whether docked or in handheld mode. Similar to previous games, the performance isn’t flawless, but the frame rate is uncapped with a goal of 60fps. This might not be ideal when playing on the original Switch, but it improves when using Switch 2 via backward compatibility. Unfortunately, the original Switch version lacks effective anti-aliasing, which is noticeable on character models in both handheld and docked modes. If you were comfortable with the prior games on Switch, “No Sleep For Kaname Date” should be suitable for handheld play. However, it doesn’t perform well when played docked.

No Sleep For Kaname Date Switch vs Switch 2 differences

In simpler terms, both versions of No Sleep For Kaname Date, including the original Switch version and the updated Switch 2 edition, boast an unlimited frame rate. However, when played on Switch 2 via backward compatibility, the game appears more stable and offers a smoother experience during third-person gameplay. Graphically, the Switch 2 version is a significant improvement over the original, particularly when docked, offering sharper visuals in handheld mode and a superior image quality when docked. Additionally, I observed that the texture filtering on Switch 2 was slightly better compared to the original Switch. The images below, both captured while docked, have been zoomed in and cropped to highlight the differences in image quality.

In addition, the Switch Version 2 offers mouse control alternatives. Notably, the standard Switch release has a physical copy, while the Switch Version 2 is distributed as a Game Key Card. It’s worth mentioning that save data can be transferred between the Switch and Switch 2 versions; however, they are considered separate games on your console dashboard. Ensure you choose which version to play beforehand because your save data from Switch Version 1 won’t transfer to Switch Version 2. Fortunately, you can continue playing the Switch Version 1 on Switch 2 with your previous save data.

No Sleep For Kaname Date Switch 2 backward compatibility impressions

It’s been noted that some people might be wondering as the Switch version of the game is the only physical option, while the Switch 2 version is accessible as a Game Key Card. If you prioritize optimal performance on the Switch 2 console, it’s suggested to play the Switch version instead, even though it may not offer the best visuals in handheld mode. This choice provides superior performance and faster load times compared to other versions of the game on Switch consoles, as demonstrated in later parts of this feature. I advise against playing the Switch 1 version on a Switch 2 console if you primarily use your console docked, since it does not render well on a 4K or even 1440p display when connected to a TV.

No Sleep For Kaname Date PC graphics options

In essence, the game “No Sleep for Kaname Date” shares a similar launcher with the games “AI: The Somnium Files” and “AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative.” This launcher is where you can adjust the game’s resolution and other display and graphics settings. It’s a straightforward PC version, but it performs smoothly. With this launcher, you can choose between Window Mode (borderless, windowed, fullscreen), enable or disable v-sync, activate anisotropic filtering, and select your preferred game resolution. However, there are no additional options in the PC version of this game. In my testing, “No Sleep for Kaname Date” supports resolutions ranging from 864 x 486 to 4K on a PC, across 1080p, 1440p, and 4K displays.

No Sleep For Kaname Date PC control options

When using a controller on PC for Kaname Date, the controls default to Xbox-style buttons. However, the game also offers full support for keyboard and mouse input, albeit without any rebinding options. The button prompts adjust dynamically based on the input device you’re using. If you prefer a PlayStation controller, remember to disable Steam Input in order to see PlayStation-specific button prompts. Regrettably, like with keyboard and mouse, there are no customization options for controllers regarding button assignments.

No Sleep For Kaname Date Steam Deck impressions

On Kaname Date’s No Sleep, Valve hasn’t given a rating for the Steam Deck yet. However, when played using Proton Experimental (which I use for unverified games), it ran smoothly at 90fps straight out of the box on the Steam Deck OLED. The only problem is that the launcher appears slightly blurry, as was the case in previous versions of the game. In terms of quality, it seems much like AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative. No Sleep For Kaname Date has Steam Cloud support and defaults to 16:9 aspect ratios. Additionally, you can utilize the Steam Deck’s touchscreen for mouse input. While the default experience on the Steam Deck is satisfactory, I managed to enhance it further with some adjustments, which I will discuss below.

No Sleep For Kaname Date Steam Deck recommended settings

I wasn’t satisfied with the game’s appearance at 720p resolution, so I manually set the game to display at 1080p, even on the Steam Deck’s built-in screen. This significantly improved the visual quality on the small screen. Despite a slight dip in performance, I’ll discuss that later.

As for my suggestions, I recommend adjusting the controller settings and setting the right trackpad to function like a mouse. After increasing its sensitivity, you’ll enjoy an optimized control experience for “No Sleep For Kaname Date” with traditional button controls. The touchscreen can be used if necessary, while the trackpad offers smooth cursor movement for precise control.

For optimal performance in No Sleep For Kaname Date on Steam Deck, set the game to run at 60fps and 1080p resolution. This setting works great on the Steam Deck’s screen and maintains a steady frame rate when docked. If you play on a 1440p display while docked, you can still achieve 60fps by manually adjusting it through the in-game launcher.

No Sleep For Kaname Date ROG Ally impressions

On Kaname Date’s No Sleep run on the ROG Ally, performance and visuals are impressive. However, instead of a constant 120fps as anticipated, it frequently dips to about 110fps. This isn’t problematic on the ROG Ally due to VRR support, but I thought it was worth noting. For those using the ROG Ally, it would be wise to limit the frame rate to 60fps through Command Center before launching the game as there is no in-game frame rate limiter option available.

No Sleep For Kaname Date Switch vs Switch 2 vs Steam Deck and ROG Ally load time comparison

In this analysis, instead of solely focusing on comparing the load times between the Switch and Switch 2 versions, I expanded my comparison to include all available game versions. This way, you can understand how the loading speeds differ across various hardware platforms. As always, during testing, I press the A or B buttons to bypass any recap scenes, allowing me to evaluate the load speed under controlled conditions. For a fair comparison, I played each version until reaching the same in-game save point.

On my Nintendo Switch 2, I had both versions of the game stored in its internal memory. Meanwhile, the Switch variant on my Nintendo Switch OLED is saved onto an external SD card. As for Steam, the installation was done on the internal solid-state drive (SSD) for both devices.

Platform	Dashboard to game title screen	Loading a save file
Nintendo Switch 1	20	18
Nintendo Switch 1 on Switch 2	9	7-8
Nintendo Switch 2	10	9-10
Steam Deck	6*	7
ROG Ally Z1 Extreme	8-9	5-6

Keep in mind that the loading times mentioned below are in seconds. For the Steam Deck, there might be instances where the system takes a bit longer to load the launcher. The time indicated here is after the launcher has been loaded on both PC and handheld devices. Sometimes it loads immediately, but other times it may take around 10-15 seconds in Steam Game Mode, so be aware of this variation.

Which is the best portable version of No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files

Currently, the Steam edition on Steam Deck offers an exceptional portable gaming experience due to its consistent 60fps performance and excellent visuals. The built-in trackpad improves cursor movement, while the touchscreen is also available for use. If you own an OLED Steam Deck, you can even opt for a smooth 90fps experience. If the Switch 2 version minimized its hiccups during third-person movement and maintained a steady 60fps frame rate consistently, it would undoubtedly surpass all other versions as the best choice.

In future updates, let’s aim to enhance the gameplay experience. Currently, I would rate the Switch 2 as an excellent alternative, considering its screen and battery life. However, if you prioritize a smooth experience on Switch 2, the original Switch version through backward compatibility offers that, but it comes at the cost of visual quality. As for the ROG Ally, it provides outstanding performance and visuals, but its battery life could use some improvement.

On July 25, the game “No Rest for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files” will be available on two versions of Nintendo Switch, as well as PC via Steam.

2025-07-18 01:57